Hanover trail project good to go

Three Rivers finalizes funding

The Hanover City Council heard that the Three Rivers Park District is supportive of including the remaining funding for the Hennepin County Rd. 19 trail project.

The council also addressed complaints regarding construction traffic through Hanover Hills, and heard an update about Region 7W transportation funding.

TRAIL PROJECT

Kelly Grissman from Three Rivers Park District was present with an update of the Hennepin County Rd. 19 trail project.

She said the Three Rivers Board is supportive of the project. A couple days after the council meeting, city engineer Justin Messner said the board had approved funding.

“Sounds like we have the funding we need to move the trail project forward,” assistant city administrator Annita Smythe later said. “(Engineers) will now work on getting some acquisition easements.”

The project will extend a paved trail from Crow-Hassan Park Reserve west along Hennepin County Rd. 19 to the Historic Bridge, where it will then tie into the existing trail on the Wright County side of Hanover.

“It’s good news, a big relief,” Smythe said.

Hanover had already committed $120,000 for engineering design, appraisals and preliminary work. With additional funding, the city’s commitment will be about $200,000. Smythe said Hanover is looking to get grant funding to reimburse the city’s contribution. A federal grant, Hennepin County funding and Three Rivers funding will cover the construction costs.

“I think they’re looking to break ground in spring,” Smythe said.

CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC

In other news, the council addressed neighborhood complaints from Hanover Hills area regarding construction vehicles in the area.

Hanover Hills is located on the Wright County side north of County Rd. 20. Construction is taking place at Crow River Heights to the north of Hanover Hills, and residents say trucks are driving through the residential areas.

“Because it’s a public road the city has very little options,” assistant administrator Smythe said.

She said the city has been doing some things to help control construction traffic, such as putting up signs asking contractors to avoid Hanover Hills, “but that’s hard to enforce,” she said.

Another option is to use electronic speed limit signs.

“The purpose is to brainstorm what we can legally do and to communicate to the neighbors that (Hanover) is trying to figure out options,” Smythe said, adding that the topic would be included in a future city newsletter.

REGION 7W

In further matters, the council heard an update regarding the Region 7W transportation district, which includes area cities along the I-94 corridor that are outside of the Metropolitan Council’s 7-county region.

Region 7W is related to the federal census and urban boundaries subject to Met Council oversight. The last census extended the urban region to the I-94 corridor, such as Hanover, St. Michael, Albertville, Otsego and Elk River.

“What is the Met Council’s reach? Who would be responsible for what and how are projects funded?” assistant city administrator Smythe said about the process.

The council reviewed a memo of the latest draft agreement between the Region 7W parties and the Met Council.

“Met Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation” would like to see all the cities impacted by the agreement to approve the agreement,” Smythe said. The city council will see a final draft for approval in the future.

“This agreement limits what the Met Council’s reach is and gives cities more say in terms of transportation and planning projects,” Smythe said.